BIOGRAPHY

A key part of the Vikings for 37 seasons in different capacities, Scott Studwell enters the 2013 season as Director of College Scouting for the 11th season. Studwell is in his 5th decade with the team and is one of the most enduring figures in Vikings history.

Studwell enters his 22nd year in the team’s Player Personnel department. He retired from his 14-year playing career after the 1990 season (1977-1990) and spent a year as the Vikings Assistant to the President/Player Relations in 1991 before being named the Player Personnel Coordinator from 1992-2001. Studwell was named to his current post as Director of College Scouting in April 2002. His responsibilities include overseeing all college scouting efforts and preparation for the annual NFL Draft.

A key part of the Vikings for 37 seasons in different capacities, Scott Studwell enters the 2013 season as Director of College Scouting for the 11th season. Studwell is in his 5th decade with the team and is one of the most enduring figures in Vikings history.

Studwell enters his 22nd year in the team’s Player Personnel department. He retired from his 14-year playing career after the 1990 season (1977-1990) and spent a year as the Vikings Assistant to the President/Player Relations in 1991 before being named the Player Personnel Coordinator from 1992-2001. Studwell was named to his current post as Director of College Scouting in April 2002. His responsibilities include overseeing all college scouting efforts and preparation for the annual NFL Draft.

Studwell’s place in team history was immortalized in 2009 when he was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor. A member of the Vikings’ 25th, 40th and 50th Anniversary All-Time Teams, Studwell holds team records for tackles in a career (1,981), season (230 in ‘81) and game (24 vs. Detroit in ‘85), as well as solo tackles in a career (1,308). No other player in Vikings history has over 1,500 career tackles. According to team media guides Studwell has more tackles with one organization than any other player in NFL history. In addition, Studwell is one of only five Minnesota players to participate in over 200 games during his career. He also played in 12 playoffs contests, including NFC Championship Games following the ‘77 and ‘87 seasons.

In ‘87 and ‘88 Studwell was voted to the Pro Bowl. In ‘89 he was named 2nd-team All-NFC by United Press International. He also was Minnesota’s recipient of the Ed Block Memorial Courage Award in ‘87. After earning the starting MLB job in ‘80, Studwell led the Vikings in tackles the next 6 seasons. He also was the team’s leading tackler in ‘88 and ‘89. Studwell, who tied for the team lead in fumbles recovered three times (‘82, ‘86, ‘88), finished his NFL career with 15 FRs and 11 INTs.

Drafted by Minnesota in the 9th round from Illinois in ‘77, Studwell finished his collegiate career as the school’s second all-time tackler (342) behind Dick Butkus (374). In ‘76 Studwell recorded 177 tackles to surpass Illinois’ season record, formerly held by Butkus. As a senior Studwell recorded 23 tackles against Purdue to tie the school’s single-game record.

In ‘90 Studwell was named to Illinois’ All-Century Team, joining Butkus and Ray Nitschke as the linebackers on that squad. Studwell earned 2nd-team All-America and 1st-team All-Big Ten honors in ‘76, and 2nd-team All-Conference mention in ‘75. Studwell also was the team’s co-captain and co- MVP in ‘76, when he played in the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game and Japan Bowl.

A native of Evansville, IN (8/27/54), John Scott Studwell starred at Evansville High School. In 2001 Studwell was elected into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. He majored in commerce at Illinois. During his playing career, he sat on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Minneapolis. Scott and wife Jenny have two daughters, Jessie and Samantha, and a son Jack.